Woodley Park

Dear PoPville – Car Break In and Crime in Woodley Park

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc

Dear PoPville,

I read the letter towards the beginning of December regarding a rash of car break-ins in Mt. Pleasant, and wanted to let you know about a similar incident that happened outside my apartment in Woodley Park. My boyfriend parked his car overnight on Woodley Place (around the corner from Calvert and Connecticut). Sometime between 9pm and 10:30am, someone smashed his back window and stole his work laptop. They also removed his gym bag (we found the contents strewn across the alley nearby) but didn’t take anything from it. There was also a bunch of sports equipment in the trunk, but they didn’t touch any of it.

I have always considered our neighborhood one of the safest in DC, and was pretty shocked that this happened. On a related note, about a month ago, we got an e-mail from our building manager saying that our door would now be locked 24 hours a day and require your key fob to access at all times (there is also a 24-hour door person, but the entrance would typically be left unlocked during the day and only require the key fob at night). I’ve asked our manager if there was any particular impetus for the change, and he gave me a vague answer about the neighborhood “changing,” and told me not to prop our doors open when we go to the laundry or trash rooms in the building. I was curious if any readers know of a specific incident that may have triggered this extra security, or if there has been a reported increase in crime in the Woodley area.

Ed. Note: A good reminder and not but blaming the victim but never, ever, leave a lap top or any electronics in your car overnight. Also never leave any bags visible in your car even if they have nothing of value.

As for general crime in Woodley Park – the day [Jan. 2] I looked at this email (and it could be a coincidence) I saw the following tweets from DCPoliceDept:

“Robbery Fear_1944 hrs_3100 Block of Catherdral Ave, NW_Lookout is for 2 B/M’s, 5’7-5’8′”

and

“Robbery Force and Violence_1930 hrs_3000Block of 32nd St, NW_2 males of unknown race”

Like I said that could’ve just been odd timing. Personally, I still feel extremely safe whenever I am in Woodley Park (which is often.) In fact not once (knock wood, knock wood) have I ever experienced an uncomfortable incident in Woodley Park. It is very rare that I hear about crime in Woodley Park aside from car break ins.

Holy Cow – Cherry Blossoms Bloomings Dec. 22nd!?!?

By Prince Of Petworth

Hard to tell from the photo but I believe it! A reader took the shot above on Connecticut Ave near the zoo. Today is also set for a balmy 52 degrees. Anyone else see trees blooming? Of course, this probably isn’t a good thing. Will this affect their normal spring blooms?

Café Sorriso Coming to 2311 Calvert St, NW in Woodley Park

By Prince Of Petworth

Café Sorriso is coming to 2311 Calvert St, NW in the former House of Philly pizza spot in Woodley Park. According to a recent liquor license application it will be a:

“New restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner specializing in homemade gelato, deserts, and coffees. Recorded music. Occupancy load is 49. Sidewalk Cafe has 20 seats.”

No we just have to see who moves into the former Cafe de Paris space on the 2nd floor which has been closed since March ’09.

There are Still Good People in the World – Vol. 24

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Sanjay Suchak

“Dear PoPville,

I just wanted to share a story of heroism from the other night.

As I was closing up at my job in Woodley Park, around 9pm, I set my bike outside and went back inside to set the alarm. 30 seconds later, I was back outside and my bike was gone. Panicing, I call my boss, then 911. About 10 minutes later, I’m on the phone with my boyfriend when I see a man ride by on my bicycle. I dropped the phone and ran down Calvert Street towards Connecticut Avenue, chasing him and yelling for him to drop the bike. Soon, about 17 pedistrians and restaurant patrons followed, running across the street after the thief. Part of this pack was a man on his own bicycle. The thief turns and rides down the grassy hill into Rock Creek Park, and the man on his bicycle follows him. After about 5 minutes, my hero walked out of the park with his own bike under one arm, and mine under the other. After debriefing with the cops, I learned that my hero was Dave, and he is a station tech for Capital Bikeshare.

Dave is amazing, as are the other folks from the Woodley neighborhood who jumped in to help stop the thief. Thanks to all of the good people in this great city who go above and beyond to help a stranger. Special props to Bikeshare for hiring such an awesome guy.

Side note: During the reporting after my bike was recovered, the police received 2 more calls about bike thefts within the neighborhood. Not sure what this is about, but clearly someone is after bikes in Woodley. Keep your bikes locked!”

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